New footage showing the heroic attempts of RNLI teams to rescue a man who slipped from cliffs near Hilbre Island has been released.

Lifeboats crews from West Kirby and Hoylake along with RNLI lifeguards and an RAF helicopter were all involved in the dramatic rescue on Monday afternoon.

The man, in his 30s, was spotted after falling by day trippers on Middle Eye, a smaller island near Hilbre Island in the Dee estuary at around 4pm.

They called the coastguard who requested the launch of the two lifeboats, with Hoylake’s new Shannon-class lifeboat arriving following an earlier role providing safety cover during the Three Queens event.

The charity’s lifeguards, Norman and Mike Proctor assessed the scene and supported the man in the water, while fellow lifeguards Tom Corlett and George Welsh also assisted.

West Kirby lifeboat medic Adrian Gregan waded into the surf and made his way to the casualty.

A Hoylake crew member carried oxygen onto West Kirby’s lifeboat to help treat the injured man.

Mr Gregan then requested the assistance of the rescue helicopter as the injured man was suffering from suspected spinal and internal injuries.

The dramatic footage shot from Hoylake lifeboat shows the charity’s crew members and lifeguards managing to put the casualty onto a stretcher and place him on a narrow ledge just above the waterline while the helicopter was on route from RAF Valley.

The man was then winched aboard the aircraft and taken to Fazakerley hospital.

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West Kirby lifeboat operations manager Dave Henshaw said: ‘I’m very proud of the RNLI crews and lifeguards and our partners HM Coastguard and RAF valley who were involved in yesterday’s excellently coordinated rescue.”

Hoylake RNLI crewman Ian Davies said after the incident: ‘We were able to get to the casualty much faster due to our new launch and recovery vehicle. It allows us to relaunch on life-saving missions even if we have only just beached our boat.

“Our thorough training in casualty care was also a key part of this operation. The continuing generosity of the public in providing funds for our training and equipment is absolutely vital to our lifeboat team, both afloat and ashore.”

Pete Rooney, RNLI lifeguard manager added: “The injured man received swift and effective treatment which is testament to the seamless teamwork demonstrated by all the teams involved.”